Hull KR 2025 season preview
2024 recap
The Robins were outstanding in 2024 as they reached their first ever Super League Grand Final and finished second in the regular season.
Unfortunately for them, Wigan were just that little bit better on all fronts – including the Challenge Cup, where they knocked Rovers out in the semi-finals.
Still, 2024 was the year where the Robins really cemented themselves at the top table, and with Mikey Lewis named Man of Steel as well, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with again in 2025.
2024 position: 2nd (Grand Final runners-up)
Key signings
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons), Tom Davies (Catalans Dragons), Eribe Doro (Bradford Bulls), Bill Leyland (London Broncos), Danny Richardson (Castleford Tigers), Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos), Lee Kershaw (London Broncos), Leon Ruan (Leeds Rhinos), Noah Booth (Wakefield Trinity)
Key departures
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Corey Hall (Wakefield Trinity), Louis Senior (Castleford Tigers), Jordan Abdull (Hull FC), Matt Parcell (Retired), Reiss Butterworth (Sheffield Eagles), Matty Storton (Wakefield Trinity), Tom Opacic (Redcliffe Dolphins), George King (Huddersfield Giants), Harvey Moore (Released), Neil Tchamambe (Wakefield Trinity)
Players to watch
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has arrived in Super League for 2025 and I can’t wait to see the big prop in action. At 36, he’s in the twilight of his career, but he was still making an impact for Sydney Roosters in the NRL last year, and with over 300 games to his name Down Under, plus three Premierships, he could be one of the standout signings in Super League this year…if he stays away from the disciplinary.
Rhyse Martin is another one of the new boys, and the Papua New Guinea international could be a shrewd addition. Super League won’t come as a surprise to him having spent the past sixseasons with Leeds Rhinos, and his goal-kicking ability could be the difference for Rovers in the tight games. In fact, he holds the joint world record for most successful goal kicks without missing – 42.
Young gun
Bill Leyland picked up the Championship Young Player of the Year award in 2023 before an ACL injury cruelly robbed him of a chance to play Super League in 2024. Now recovered, the former London Broncos man has some stiff competition in front of him, but he’ll be keen to show what he can do at the top level.
Our prediction – 3rd
Rovers’ second-placed finish in 2024 was no fluke and I’m expecting them to be right up there again this year as one of the top three sides. They’ve lost a couple of big players – Ryan Hall in particular – but I’ve been impressed with their recruitment, and a top six finish is an absolute minimum.
